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Amazon fires: G7 agree to release $22m to fight blaze Amazon fires: G7 agree to release $22m to fight blaze
(32 minutes later)
International leaders at the G7 summit have agreed to provide logistical and financial support to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest.International leaders at the G7 summit have agreed to provide logistical and financial support to help fight fires in the Amazon rainforest.
French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 countries would release $22m (£18m).French President Emmanuel Macron said G7 countries would release $22m (£18m).
The agreement came as the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US continued to meet in Biarritz, France.The agreement came as the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US continued to meet in Biarritz, France.
Mr Macron said the funds would be made available "immediately".Mr Macron said the funds would be made available "immediately".
"France will also offer concrete support with military in the region within the next few hours," the French leader said."France will also offer concrete support with military in the region within the next few hours," the French leader said.
A record number of fires is burning in Brazil, most of them in the Amazon, according to data provided by the country's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe).A record number of fires is burning in Brazil, most of them in the Amazon, according to data provided by the country's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe).
President Macron last week described the fires as an "international crisis" and pushed for them to be prioritised at the G7 summit which his country is hosting.President Macron last week described the fires as an "international crisis" and pushed for them to be prioritised at the G7 summit which his country is hosting.
The severity of the fires, and the response by Brazil's government, has prompted global outcry and protests. The severity of the fires, and the response by Brazil's government, has prompted a global outcry and protests.
Critics have accused Brazil's President, Jair Bolsonaro, of "green lighting" the Amazon's destruction through anti-environmental rhetoric and a lack of action on deforestation violations.Critics have accused Brazil's President, Jair Bolsonaro, of "green lighting" the Amazon's destruction through anti-environmental rhetoric and a lack of action on deforestation violations.
What is Brazil doing?What is Brazil doing?
On Friday, facing mounting pressure from abroad, President Bolsonaro authorised the military to help tackle the blazes.On Friday, facing mounting pressure from abroad, President Bolsonaro authorised the military to help tackle the blazes.
The Defence Ministry has said that 44,000 troops are available to help in the effort and officials said on Sunday that military intervention has been authorised in seven states.The Defence Ministry has said that 44,000 troops are available to help in the effort and officials said on Sunday that military intervention has been authorised in seven states.
Warplanes have also been drafted in to dump water on the areas affected.Warplanes have also been drafted in to dump water on the areas affected.
The president tweeted on Sunday that he had also accepted an offer of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The president tweeted on Sunday that he had also accepted an offer of support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Bolsonaro has previously been critical of the response of foreign governments and accused them of interfering in Brazil's national sovereignty.President Bolsonaro has previously been critical of the response of foreign governments and accused them of interfering in Brazil's national sovereignty.
On Saturday, EU Council president Donald Tusk admitted it was hard to imagine the bloc ratifying the long-awaited EU-Mercosur agreement - a landmark trade deal with South American nations - while Brazil was still failing to curb the blazes.On Saturday, EU Council president Donald Tusk admitted it was hard to imagine the bloc ratifying the long-awaited EU-Mercosur agreement - a landmark trade deal with South American nations - while Brazil was still failing to curb the blazes.
As criticism mounted again last week, Finland's finance minister went as far as calling for the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef imports altogether.As criticism mounted again last week, Finland's finance minister went as far as calling for the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef imports altogether.
How bad are the fires?How bad are the fires?
Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil, but satellite data published by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) has shown an increase of 85% this year.Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil, but satellite data published by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) has shown an increase of 85% this year.
They say more than 75,000 have been recorded in Brazil so far in 2019, most of them in the Amazon region.They say more than 75,000 have been recorded in Brazil so far in 2019, most of them in the Amazon region.
Environmental activists have drawn links between President Bolsonaro's attitudes towards the environment and the recent surge in the number of fires in the famous rainforest.Environmental activists have drawn links between President Bolsonaro's attitudes towards the environment and the recent surge in the number of fires in the famous rainforest.
President Bolsonaro has been accused of emboldening miners and loggers who deliberately start fires to illegally deforest land. Earlier this month he accused Inpe of trying to undermine his government with data revealing sharp increases in deforestation levels.President Bolsonaro has been accused of emboldening miners and loggers who deliberately start fires to illegally deforest land. Earlier this month he accused Inpe of trying to undermine his government with data revealing sharp increases in deforestation levels.
BBC analysis has also found that the record number of fires being recorded also coincide with a sharp drop off in fines being handed out for environmental violations.BBC analysis has also found that the record number of fires being recorded also coincide with a sharp drop off in fines being handed out for environmental violations.
Neighbouring Bolivia is also struggling to contain fires burning in its forests.Neighbouring Bolivia is also struggling to contain fires burning in its forests.
On Sunday President Evo Morales suspended his re-election campaign and said he was prepared to accept international help to tackle blazes in his country's Chiquitania region.On Sunday President Evo Morales suspended his re-election campaign and said he was prepared to accept international help to tackle blazes in his country's Chiquitania region.
Why is the Amazon important?Why is the Amazon important?
As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It spans a number of countries, but the majority of it falls within Brazil.As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming. It spans a number of countries, but the majority of it falls within Brazil.
It is known as the "lungs of the world" for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.It is known as the "lungs of the world" for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
The rainforest is also home to about three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people.The rainforest is also home to about three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people.
Political leaders, celebrities and environmentalists are among those who have called for action to protect the Amazon.Political leaders, celebrities and environmentalists are among those who have called for action to protect the Amazon.
Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets across the world calling on governments to intervene.Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets across the world calling on governments to intervene.
On Sunday, Pope Francis also joined the call to protect the rainforest.On Sunday, Pope Francis also joined the call to protect the rainforest.
"We are all worried about the vast fires that have developed in the Amazon. Let us pray so that with the commitment of all, they can be put out soon. That lung of forests is vital for our planet," he told thousands of people in St Peter's Square."We are all worried about the vast fires that have developed in the Amazon. Let us pray so that with the commitment of all, they can be put out soon. That lung of forests is vital for our planet," he told thousands of people in St Peter's Square.